France v Ireland preview: Defence, discipline and dominance – how Ireland can cause a Six Nations shock

Ireland countdown to Six Nations opener at Stade de France with Rúaidhrí O’Connor, Cian Tracey & Sinéad Kissane

This whole week has felt a little off-kilter. A Thursday night Six Nations game feels very different, there’s been an absence of green jerseys around Paris and the build-up has seemed muted as a result.

It’s not just the lack of routine that’s felt a little off. It’s a long time since Ireland arrived at a game written off to this extent, and there’s a sense in France that they are simply a staging post for a Grand Slam bid.